January 24, 2025

"Bet you can't bake a cake outdoors"

We lost the bet.

We thought of the most difficult thing to make in the outdoors and put it to our friend and foodie, Deanna Dowling and do you know what she did.. NAILED IT.

Apple and Cinnamon Mug Cake - Prepare at home and make at camp. An outdoors dessert to impress your mates or keep to yourself.

A little prep at home is well worth it for this steamy hot pudding.

Smelly Proof

Reusable Bag Stand & Fill - Pocket

$3.00 NZD

~~$3.00 NZD~~ $3.00 NZD

Ingredients

- ¼ cup plain flour.
- ¼ tsp baking powder.
- 2 tbsp brown sugar.
- 1–2 tbsp milk powder (use non-dairy milk powder for a vegan option)
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
- 3 dried apple rings, cut into small pieces.
- ¼ cup water.
- 2 tbsp oil.
- 1/4 vanilla extract.
- ¼ tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp brown sugar for topping.

Snow Peak

Titanium Pot Trek 900

$110.00 NZD

~~$110.00 NZD~~ $110.00 NZD

Equipment

- Camping stove and gas.
- Pot with a lid and a heatproof, single wall metal cup to fit inside (the Snow Peak Trek 900 or 1400 are perfect with a Snow Peak Single Wall Titanium 450).
- A flat rock (to put at the bottom of the pot to elevate the cup from the bottom).
- Small reusable zip-lock bag for cake mix (Smelly Proof bags fit two servings nicely).
- Spork.
- Small container for oil, cinnamon, and brown sugar (the Nalgene Vials are perfect for this).

Nalgene

Travel Kit - 8 Vials

$35.00 NZD

~~$35.00 NZD~~ $35.00 NZD

Method - At home

- Combine the dry ingredients and dried apple in a reusable zip-lock bag.
- Measure the oil, vanilla extract and topping ingredients (extra cinnamon and brown sugar) into small containers. The oil and vanilla extract can go together.

Snow Peak

Titanium Single Wall Cup 450

$65.00 NZD

~~$65.00 NZD~~ $65.00 NZD

Method - At camp

- Go on a hunt for a flat rock to elevate the cup inside the pot.
- Lightly grease the cup with a drop of oil.
- Add the dry ingredients, oil & vanilla extract and water to the cup. Mix until smooth.
- Sprinkle the extra cinnamon and brown sugar on top.
- Place the rock at the bottom of the pot and position the cup on top. If your pot is small, you can wedge the cup handles against it to stop moving.
- Fill the pot with water until it reaches about one-third of the way up the cup.
- Cover the pot with the lid.
- Boil over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Check doneness by inserting the end of your spork — the cake is ready when it comes out clean (cooking time may vary if multiple servings are made).
- Custard is a nice idea.
- Enjoy your freshly baked cake!